Nozzle height adjusting mechanism for a suction cleaner

ABSTRACT

A nozzle height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner, with respect to the surface being cleaned, which includes a rotatably mounted axle in the cleaner body adjacent the suction inlet and wheels on the radially offset outer ends of the axle. An adjusting member having a cam surface engaging a radially offset central portion of the axle is movably mounted on the body for effecting limited rotation of the axle about its axis and consequently adjustment of the height of the suction inlet. The adjusting member is conveniently located on the upper front portion of the body for manipulation by a user. The height adjusting mechanism also includes indexing means which facilitates rapid movement of the adjusting member to and releasable retention thereof in a selected one of a plurality of its adjusted positions.

United States Patent Lagerstrom et al. [4 1 Aug. 15, 1972 [54] NOZZLE HEIGHT ADJUSTING 1,448,397 3/1923 Friend ..15/354 MECHANISM FOR A SUCTION 2,841,812 7/1958 Lachowicz ..15/355 CLEANER I i [72] lnventors: Robert C. Lagerstrom, Anderson, Pnmary Examner walter Scheel S.C.; Willis E. Berry, Bloomington, [11.

[73] Assignee: National Union Electric Corporation, Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: June 3, 1970 [2]] App]. No.: 42,951

[52] US. Cl ..l5/354 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47l 5/34 [58] Field of Search ..15/333, 354-356, 15/358359 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,734,217 2/1956 Brace ..15/354 X 2,107,016 2/1938 Snyder ..l5/354 X 3,262,147 7/1966 Waters et a1 15/354 2,333,494 11/1943 Snyder ..l5/333 2,691,791 10/1954 Humphrey ..15/354 X 2,330,665 9/1943 Berg ..l5/333 Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney-Hibben, Noyes & Bicknell 5 7 ABSTRACT A noule height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner, with respect to the surface being cleaned, which includes a rotatably mounted axle in the cleaner body adjacent the suction inlet and wheels on the radially offset outer ends of the axle. An adjusting member having a cam surface engaging a radially offset central portion of the axle is movably mounted on the body for effecting limited rotation of the axle about its axis and consequently adjustment of the height of the suction inlet. The adjusting member is conveniently located on the upper front portion of the body for manipulation by a user. The height adjusting mechanism also includes indexing means which facilitates rapid movement of the adjusting member to and releasable retention thereof in a selected one of a plurality of its adjusted positions.

9 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures NOZZLE HEIGHT ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR A SUCTION CLEANER This invention relates to suction cleaners, and more particularly to a mechanism for adjusting the height of the nozzle or suction inlet of the cleaner above a surface to be cleaned.

Various types of adjusting mechanisms have been advanced for varying or adjusting the height of the nozzle or suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner in order to permit the nozzle to be positioned at its most efficient height with respect to the surface being cleaned. While many of such nozzle height adjusting mechanisms have proved generally satisfactory for their intended pur pose, other have not for various reasons.

One of the reasons for such unsatisfactory performance of the prior art constructions was excessive inclination of the nozzle or suction inlet with respect to the surface being cleaned. Such excessive nozzle inclination resulted from the lowering of a wheel or wheels located at the opposite end of the cleaner from the nozzle or suction inlet. Excessive tilting or nozzle inclination also frequently rendered the cleaners more difficult to maneuver and increased the force required to effect movement thereof.

Another reason for such unsatisfactory performance was the complexity of construction and operation of the prior art nozzle height adjusting mechanisms, which resulted in high cost and unreliability of operation.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved nozzle or suction inlet height adjusting mechanism which overcomes the aforementioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object is to provide a novel nozzle height adjusting mechanism which permits infinite adjustment of the height of the nozzle, with respect to the surface being cleaned, between predetermined maximum and minimum heights.

Still another object is to provide a novel nozzle height adjusting mechanism of the foregoing character, which permits a user to readily adjust the height of the suction nozzle to a selected one of a plurality of heights within the range of adjustment.

A further object is to provide a novel nozzle height adjusting mechanism which is simple in construction, reliable in operation and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of an upright suction cleaner incorporating a nozzle height adjusting mechanism embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the front of the cleaner illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the portion of the cleaner illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the front portion of the cleaner shown in FIG. 2, and showing certain parts of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism in different positions;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the front portion of the cleaner illustrated in FIG. 2, with portions thereof broken away to show additional details;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view, with a portion thereof in section, of an underlying portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of two parts of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l0l0 of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, and showing the parts of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism in a different position;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of one of the parts of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism shown in FIGS. 9 and 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another suction cleaner incorporating a nozzle height adjusting mechanism embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the front of the suction cleaner illustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l818 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l9l9 of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are views similar to FIGS. 18 and 19, respectively, but showing the parts of the adjusting mechanism in a different position;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary top plan view of the front portion of the cleaner illustrated in FIG. 16, with a portion thereof broken away to show additional details;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2323 of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the parts of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 18, 20 and 22.

Briefly described, the present invention contemplates a novel adjusting mechanism for varying the height of the nozzle or suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner above the surface being cleaned. In both embodiments of the invention to be hereinafter described in detail, a transversely extending axle is rotatably mounted on the cleaner body adjacent the nozzle or suction inlet and a wheel is rotatably mounted on a radially offset support portion at each end of the axle. The central portion of the axle so includes a radially offset or adjusting portion for effecting rotation of the axle in opposite directions and consequently raising or lowering of the wheels with respect to the underside of the cleaner body. A manually adjustable member having a cam surface engaging the adjusting portion of the axle is provided for effecting rotation of the axle about its axis and consequently raising or lowering of the wheels with respect to the underside of the cleaner body. In addition, indexing means is provided for releasably retaining the adjusting member in a selected one of a plurality of adjusted positions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the adjusting member comprises an elongated slide that is shiftably mounted on the cleaner body for movement transversely thereof, and the cam surface comprises a slanted or inclined surface on an elongated rib which extends lengthwise of the slide. In this embodiment, the indexing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses on the slide and detent means movable into a respective one of the recesses for a particular position of adjustment.

In another embodiment of the invention, the adjusting means comprises a rotatably mounted knob on the cleaner body and having a cam surface thereon of varying radius and engaging the adjusting portion of the axle. In this embodiment, the indexing means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the cam surface, which are engaged by the axle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1l4, inclusive, and initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a suction cleaner 30 incorporating a nozzle height adjusting mechanism embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated. The cleaner 30 generally comprises a cleaner body or casing 32 having suction generating means, such as a motor-fan unit (not shown), mounted therein. An elongated handle 33 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the rear of the cleaner body 32, and a filter bag assembly 34 is mounted on the handle 33 and receives the exhaust flow from the motor-fan unit of the cleaner. A housing 36 is shown mounted on the lower end of the handle 36, and a cord reel (not shown) is provided in the housing and has wound thereon a length of electrical cord 37 which is retracted and stored on the reel when the cleaner is not in use. The housing 36 and cord reel form no part of the present invention, and are omitted from some models of the cleaner 30.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, a nozzle or suction inlet 38 is provided on the underside, indicated at 42, of the cleaner body 32, such inlet extending transversely across the underside 42 of the body adjacent the front end, indicated at 43 thereof. A brush 44 is shown mounted in the inlet 38 so that the bristles thereof project downwardly below the underside 42 of the body, in a well-known manner. The brush 44 is rotatably mounted in the inlet 38 and is driven by a belt (not shown) connected to the motor portion of the motorfan unit of the cleaner.

The cleaner body 32 is supported for movement over a surface to be cleaned, such as the nap or pile of a rug or carpet, by a plurality of wheels. In the present instance, two pairs of wheels are provided, one pair (not shown) being located at the rear end of the body 32 and the other pair being located at the front end 43 of the body adjacent the suction inlet 38. Each wheel of the front pair is indicated at 46.

As heretofore mentioned, the cleaner 30 includes novel mechanism, indicated generally at 50, for adjusting the height of the nozzle or suction inlet 38 with respect to the surface being cleaned so that the cleaner can operate at maximum efficiency with respect to such surface. The mechanism 50 comprises an axle 52 which extends transversely of the body 32 and is rotatably mounted thereon, intermediate its ends, in a pair of laterally spaced bearing recesses 53 (FIG. 6) formed in the upper surface of the base plate 54 of the body 32. The axle 52 is retained in the bearing recesses 53 by a pair of straps 56 which extend over the recesses 53 and which may be secured to the base plate 54, as by screws 57.

The outer ends or support portions, indicated at 58, of the axle 52 are radially offset from the axis of rotation thereof, indicated at 60 in FIGS. 5 and 6, by connecting or crank portions 62. Consequently, rotation of the axle 52 about its axis 60 results in arcuate movement of the end portions 58 and front wheels 46 which are rotatably mounted on the end portions 58. The crank portions 62 extend downwardly and rearwardly toward the underside 42 of the cleaner body 32 from the axis 60 so that arcuate movement of the end portions 58 of the axle due to rotation thereof about the axis 60 results in a raising or lowering of the wheels 46 with respect to the underside 42 of the cleaner body 32 and consequently a decrease or increase of the height of the suction inlet 38 above the surface being cleaned.

The axle 52 also includes a centrally offset or adjusting portion 63 which is preferably in the form of an obtuse V (FIG. 5) with the apex, indicated at 64, of the V located at the center of the axle. The offset portion 63 extends upwardly and forwardly with respect to the axis 60, as will be apparent from FIGS. 9 and 11.

Rotation of the axle 52 about its axis 60 is achieved by an adjusting member in the form of a slide (FIGS. 4, 8, l3 and 14) that is shiftably mounted on the body 32 for transverse movement relative thereto. The slide 70 includes an elongated body portion 72 having a central upstanding knob or handle portions 73 thereon which extends upwardly through an elongated opening 74 in the upper front surface of the body 32. The opening 74, in the present instance, is provided in a cover or hood 75 secured to the base plate 54 of the cleaner body 32 and defining a top wall of the body 32. The location of the slide 70 in the upper front portion of the cover 75 renders it readily accessible for manipulation by a user.

The body portion 72 of the slide is substantially rectangular in cross section and is slidably received in a similarly shaped transversely extending groove 76 in the upper surface of the base plate 54. The upper or top wall, indicated at 77, of the slide 70 is inclined with respect to the side walls thereof and includes flange portions 78 and 79 which respectively project forwardly and rearwardly of the side walls of the slide body portion 72.

As heretofore mentioned, the adjusting mechanism 50 also includes a cam surface for effecting pivotal movement of the axle 52 about its axis 60. Such cam surface is provided on an elongated rib 81 (FIGS. 8-13, inclusive), on the rear side wall of the slide body 72 and extending lengthwise thereof. The rib 81 is of varying thickness so that the outer or rear side 82 thereof is inclined or slanted with respect to the body portion 72 and thus forms the aforementioned cam surface which engages the apex or nose portion 64 of the central section 63 of the axle in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, inclusive. A torsion spring 83 (FIG. 5) having one end 84 engaging the base plate 54 and its other end 86 engaging the right crank portion 62 of the axle 52, as viewed in FIG. 5, serves to maintain contact between the nose portion 64 of the axle and cam surface 82 when the wheels 46 are not in contact with the surface being cleaned. Thus, shifting of the slide 70 in opposite directions in the groove 76 effects pivotal movement of the central portion 63 of the axle 52 about its axis 60 and consequently raising or lowering of the front wheels 46 with respect to the underside 42 of the casing. Since the casing is supported by the wheels 46, such raising or lowering thereof also effects a corresponding decrease or increase of the height of the nozzle or suction inlet 38 with respect to the surface being cleaned.

In order to retain the slide 70 in its groove 76 and to prevent gaps from appearing between -one of the respective ends thereof and an adjacent portion of the opening 74 in the hood 75 when the slide 70 is shifted fully toward either of its transverse limit positions, a retaining and cover member 90 (FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11) is provided. The cover member 90 includes a central plate portion 92 having a rectangularly shaped opening 93 therein that is of substantially the same width as the opening 74 in the hood 75 but of about half the length of the opening 74. The central portion 92 also includes a pair of downwardly offset and forwardly and rearwardly extending flange portions 96 and 97, respectively, the flange portions 96 and 97 each having an elongated longitudinally extending slot 98 therein. The slots 98 are adapted to receive shoulder screws 99 which secure the member 90 in slidable relation on the base plate 54 and hold the slide 70 in its groove 76.

A pair of rectangularly shaped wing portions 102 and 103 extend laterally outwardly from the left and right sides, respectively, of the central portion 92 of the member 90 so as to form extensions thereof. The length of the wing portions 102 and 103 is such that when the member 90 is mounted over the slide 70 and the latter is shifted fully toward either one of its limit positions, such as the left limit position of the slide 70 shown in FIG. 4, one of the portions 102 or 103 will prevent a gap from occurring between the end of the top wall 77 of the slide 70 and the adjacent end of the opening 74 in the hood 75. Such relation of the right end of the wall 77 of the slide 70 and the extension 103 to the right end of the opening 74 in the hood, is shown in FIG. 4.

The aforementioned gap-preventing function of the cover member 90 is made possible by a lost motion connection between the member 90 and the slide 70. Such lost motion connection is provided by the longitudinally extending slots 98 in the flange portions 96 and 97 of the member 90, the slots 98 accommodating movement of the cover member 90 with the slide 70 when the knob or handle portion 73 of the latter contacts one or the other of the side edges of the opening 93 in the member 90.

The nozzle height adjusting mechanism 50 also includes indexing means which permits the slide 70 to be rapidly shifted to a selected one of a plurality of nozzle height adjusting positions and which releasably retains the slide in such position. Such indexing means is indicated generally at 110 in FIG. 7 and comprises a resilient detent or arm 111 on a clip 112 that is mounted on an upstanding post 113 on the base plate 54 and a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses or grooves 114 (FIGS. 7, 12, 13 and 14) in the rear side of the slide body 72. Indexing occurs when the arm 11] snaps into one of the recesses 114. As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, five equidistantly spaced recesses 114 are provided on the rear side of the slide body 72. Consequently, the indexing means 110 serves to indicate five different positions of adjustment of the adjusting member or slide 70, and these may be identified by suitable indicia on the upper surface of the hood 75, such as shown at 116 in FIG. 2.

It will be understood that while the indexing means permits a user to quickly adjust the height of the nozzle or suction inlet 38 to any one of the five positions indicated by the indicia 116, the slide 70 can also be shifted to and left in any intermediate position, if desired. Thus, the position of the wheels 46 with respect to the underside 42 of the cleaner body 32, and consequently the height of the nozzle or suction inlet 38 above the surface being cleaned is infinitely adjustable throughout the range of positions provided by the slope of the inclined cam surface 82 of the slide 70.

In FIG. 15, another upright suction cleaner 120 incorporating a nozzle height adjusting mechanism embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated. The cleaner 120 is similar in many respects to the cleaner 30 illustrated in FIG. 1, and therefore like reference numerals have been used to identify identical parts.

The cleaner 120 generally comprises a cleaner body or casing 122 having suction generating means, such as a motor-fan unit (not shown), mounted therein. An elongated handle 33 is pivotally connected to the rear of the body 122, and a filter bag assembly 124 is secured to the handle 33 for receiving the exhaust flow from the fan portion of the motor-fan unit of the cleaner. The cleaner 120, in the present instance, is also shown as having a housing 36 mounted on the lower end of the handle 33, and a cord reel (not shown) is provided in the housing 36 and around which a length of electrical cord 37 is wound and stored when the cleaner is not in use. However, the housing 36 and cord reel form no part of the present invention, and are omitted from some models of the cleaner 120.

As best seen in FIGS. 18 and 20, a nozzle or suction inlet 128 is provided on the underside, indicated at 132, of the body 122, such inlet extending transversely across the underside 132 of the body adjacent the front end, indicated at 133, thereof. A brush 134 is shown mounted in the inlet 128 so that the bristles thereof project downwardly below the underside 132 of the body, in a well-known manner. The brush 134 is rotatably mounted in the inlet 128 and is driven by a belt (not shown) connected to the motor portion of the motor-fan unit of the cleaner 120.

The cleaner body 122 is supported for movement over a surface to be cleaned, such as the nap or pile of a rug or carpet, by a plurality of wheels. In the present instance, two pairs of wheels are provided for supporting the body 122 of the cleaner 120, one pair (not shown) being located at the rear end of the body 122 and the other pair being located at the front end 133 of the body 122 adjacent the suction inlet 128. Each wheel of the front pair is indicated at 46.

As heretofore mentioned, the cleaner 120 includes novel mechanism, indicated generally at in FIGS. 18 and 20, for adjusting the height of the suction inlet or nozzle 128 above the surface being cleaned so that the cleaner will operate at maximum efficiency. The mechanism 140 thus comprises an axle 52 which extends transversely of the body 122 and which is rotatably mounted therein, intermediate its ends, in a pair of laterally spaced bearing recesses 53 formed in the upper surface of a base plate 54 of the body 122. The axle 52 is retained in the bearing recesses 53 by a pair of straps 56 which may be secured to the base plate 54 as by screws 57.

The outer ends or support portions, each indicated at 58, of the axle 52 are offset from the axis of rotation thereof, indicated at 60 in FIGS. 22 and 23, by connecting or crank portions 62. Consequently, rotation of the axle 52 about its axis 60 results in arcuate move ment of the end portions 58 and front wheels 46 which are rotatably mounted on the end portions 58 of the axle. The crank portions 62 extend downwardly and rearwardly toward the underside 132 of the cleaner body 122 from the axis 60 so that arcuate movement of the end portions 58 of the axle results in a raising or lowering of the wheels 46 with respect to the underside 132 of the cleaner body 32 and consequently a decrease or increase of the height of the suction inlet 128 above the surface being cleaned.

The axle 52 also includes a centrally offset portion 63 which is preferably in the form of an obtuse V (FIG. 22) with the apex, indicated at 64, of the V located at the center of the axle. The offset portion 63 extends upwardly and forwardly from the axis 60 of rotation of the axle and at a slight angle with respect to the crank portions 62 of the axle, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20.

Rotation of the axle 52 of the mechanism 140 about its axis 60, is achieved by an adjusting member in the form of a knob 150 that is rotatably mounted on the upper end of a post 152, the post 152 comprising a portion of a support member 153 that is mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 54 of the cleaner body 122. The support member 153 is shown in .detail in FIG. 24 and has a plate-like base 154 having an enlarged mounting boss 156 at each end thereof. The bosses 156 are vertically bored, as at 157, to receive rivets 158 (FIGS. 18, and 22) therethrough for securing the member 153 to the base plate 54. The post 152 extends upwardly and forwardly from the platelike base 154 through an opening 159 in the upper front portion of a cover or hood 160 mounted on the base 54, the cover or hood 160 defining a top wall of the body 122. The upper end of the post 152 is axially bored and threaded as at 162 (FIGS. 22 and 24) for receiving a shoulder screw 163 (FIG. 16) which rotatably secures the knob 150 thereto.

As heretofore mentioned, the adjusting mechanism 140 also includes a cam surface for effecting pivotal movement of the axle 152 about its axis 60. Such cam surface is indicated at 166 (FIGS. 19 and 21) and is formed on the outer periphery of a cylindrical or tubular portion 167 of the knob 150. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 167 is substantially equal to or somewhat greater than the outside diameter of the post portion 152 of the support member 153 so that the tubular portion 167 telescopes over the post 152 when the knob 150 is rotatably secured to the support member 153 by the screw 163.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 19 and 21, the apex 64 of the axle 52 engages the cam surface 166 and the latter is of a continuously varying radial dimension with respect to the knob 150. Consequently, rotation of the knob 150 in opposite directions causes the apex or nose 64 of the axle 52 to be moved toward or away from the axis of rotation of the knob, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 20. Such movement of the apex 64 effects rotation of the axle 52 about its axis 60 and thus effects a raising or lowering of the wheels 46 with respect to the underside 132 of the cleaner body 122. The height of the nozzle or suction inlet 128 above a surface being cleaned may thus be decreased or increased so that the cleaner will operate at maximum efficiency. A torsion spring 83 having one end 84 engaging the base plate 54 and its other end 86 engaging the right crank portion 62 of the axle 52, as viewed in FIG. 22, serves to maintain contact between the apex 64 of the axle 52 and the cam surface 166 when the wheels 46 are out of contact with the surface being cleaned.

The mechanism also includes indexing means which permits the knob to be rapidly rotated to a selected one of a plurality of nozzle height adjusting positions and which releasably retains the knob in such position. Such indexing means comprises a plurality of axially extending and circumferentially spaced recesses or grooves in the cam surface 166 into which the apex 64 snaps into position. In the present instance, four recesses are provided about 90 apart, as respectively indicated at 17l174 (FIGS. 19 and 21). Thus, the indexing means serves to indicate four different positions of adjustment of the adjusting member or knob 150, and these may be identified by suitable indicia on the upper surface of the cover 160, such as indicated at 176 in FIG. 16. In this regard, a position indicating rib 177 may be provided on the upper surface of the knob 150 (FIG. 16) to show the rotated position of the knob 150 with respect to the indicia 176.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the nozzle height adjusting mechanism herein disclosed permits the user of an upright suction cleaner incorporating the mechanism to rapidly and precisely adjust the height of the suction inlet of the cleaner so that the cleaner operates at maximum efficiency for the particular type of rug or carpet being cleaned. Thus, the adjusting mechanism of each of the two embodiments heretofore described permits the suction nozzle of the associated cleaner to be either raised or lowered until the nozzle touches the upper surface of the pile of the rug or carpet to be cleaned and without such pressure as to require a large amount of force to move the cleaner. For example, if a rug or carpet having a short pile height is to be cleaned, such as indoor/outdoor carpeting, the adjusting member of the mechanism would be moved to a position to lower the suction nozzle. Conversely, if a rug or carpet having a deep pile or long nap is to be cleaned, the adjusting member of the mechanism would be moved to a position to raise the suction nozzle. Rugs or carpets of normal pile height are most efficiently cleaned when the adjusting member of the mechanism is moved to an intermediate or normal position which adjusts the suction nozzle to the correct height for most cleaning operations.

While only two embodiments of the nozzle height adjusting mechanism of the present invention have been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned, said cleaner including a cleaner body having front and rear ends and a top wall having an opening therein adjacent said front end, and said suction inlet being located in the underside of the cleaner body adjacent the front end thereof, said adjusting mechanism comprising an axle adapted to be rotatably mounted on the cleaner body adjacent the suction inlet and having a support portion and an adjusting portion having an offset section, said support portion being radially offset from the axis of rotation of said axle and having means mounted thereon adapted to engage the surface to be cleaned, and an adjusting member adapted to extend through said opening and including a portion adapted to be disposed above said top wall for manipulation by a user, said adjusting member being adapted to be movably mounted on the cleaner body and having a cam surface thereon adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the underside of said top wall and directly engaging the offset section of said axle, whereby movement of said adjusting member in opposite directions causes limited rotation of said axle and raising or lowering of said surface en gaging means with respect to the underside of the cleaner body to thereby effect adjustment of the height of the suction inlet with respect to the surface to be cleaned.

2. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said offset section is located centrally of said axle and is generally V-shaped with the apex of the V engaging said cam surface.

3. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting member comprises a slide adapted to be shiftably mounted on the cleaner body and having a body portion, the portion of said adjusting member that is disposed above the top wall of said cleaner body comprises a handle portion on said slide body portion, and said cam surface is also provided on said body portion.

4. The adjusting mechanism of claim 3, further characterized in that saidslide body portion is elongated and is adapted to be mounted for longitudinal movement on the cleaner body, and said cam surface comprises an elongated rib of varying thickness on the slide body portion and extending lengthwise thereof.

5. The adjusting mechanism of claim 4, further characterized in that indexing means is provided for releasably retaining said slide in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally adjusted positions, said indexing means comprising a plurality of spaced recesses in said slide body portion and detent means carried by said cleaner body and biased toward and extendable into said recesses.

6. The adjusting mechanism of claim 5, further characterized in that said detent means comprises a clip having a resilient arm extending toward and movable into and out of said recesses upon movement of said slide in opposite directions.

7. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting membercomprises a knob adapted to be rotatably mounted on said cleaner body, and said cam surface is provided on said knob and is of uniformly varying radius.

8. The adjusting mechanism of claim 7, further characterized in that said knob includes an axially extending, generally cylindrical portion, and said cam surface is formed around the outer periphery of said generally cylindrical portion.

9. The adjusting mechanism of claim 8, further characterized in that indexing means is provided for releasably retaining said knob in a selected one of a plurality of rotated positions, said indexing means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in said cam surface, said recesses coacting with said axle to releasably retain said knob in said rotated positions. 

1. An adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the suction inlet of an upright suction cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned, said cleaner including a cleaner body having front and rear ends and a top wall having an opening therein adjacent said front end, and said suction inlet being located in the underside of the cleaner body adjacent the front end thereof, said adjusting mechanism comprising an axle adapted to be rotatably mounted on the cleaner body adjacent the suction inlet and having a support portion and an adjusting portion having an offset section, said support portion being radially offset from the axis of rotation of said axle and having means mounted thereon adapted to engage the surface to be cleaned, and an adjusting member adapted to extend through said opening and including a portion adapted to be disposed above said top wall for manipulation by a user, said adjusting member being adapted to be movably mounted on the cleaner body and having a cam surface thereon adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the underside of said top wall and directly engaging the offset section of said axle, whereby movement of said adjusting member in opposite directions causes limited rotation of said axle and raising or lowering of said surface engaging means with respect to the underside of the cleaner body to thereby effect adjustment of the height of the suction inlet with respect to the surface to be cleaned.
 2. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said offset section is located centrally of said axle and is generally V-shaped with the apex of the V engaging said cam surface.
 3. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting member comprises a slide adapted to be shiftably mounted on the cleaner body and having a body portion, the portion of said adjusting member that is disposed above the top wall of said cleaner body comprises a handle portion on said slide body portion, and said cam surface is also provided on said body portion.
 4. The adjusting mechanism of claim 3, further characterized in that said slide body portion is elongated and is adapted to be mounted for longitudinal movement on the cleaner body, and said cam surface comprises an elongated rib of varying thickness on the slide body portion and extending lengthwise thereof.
 5. The adjusting mechanism of claim 4, further characterized in that indexing means is provided for releasably retaining said slide in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally adjusted positions, said indexing means comprising a plurality of spaced recesses in said slide body portion and detent means carried by said cleaner body and biased toward and extendable into said recesses.
 6. The adjusting mechanism of claim 5, further characterized in that said detent means comprises a clip having a resilient arm extending toward and movable into and out of said recesses upon movement of said slide in opposite directions.
 7. The adjusting mechanism of claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting member comprises a knob adapted to be rotatably mounted on said cleaner body, and said cam surface is provided on said knob and is of uniformly varying radius.
 8. The adjusting mechanism of claim 7, further characterized in that said knob includes an axially extending, generally cylindrical portion, and said cam surface is formed around the outer periphery of said generally cylindrical portion.
 9. The adjusting mechanism of claim 8, further characterized in that indexing means is provided for releasably retaining said knob in a selected one of a plurality of rotated positions, said indexing means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced rEcesses in said cam surface, said recesses coacting with said axle to releasably retain said knob in said rotated positions. 